ATC160530: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on attending the 16th National Teaching Awards, dated 24 May 2016

Basic Education

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on attending the 16th National Teaching Awards, dated 24 May 2016.

 

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, having attended the 16th Annual National Teaching Awards on 27 February 2016 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, reports as follows:

 

1.         Introduction

 

1. The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education received an invitation from the Department of Basic Education to send a multi-party delegation to attend the 16th Annual National Teaching Awards at the Gallagher Convention Centre on 27 February 2016.

 

1. The delegation comprised the following members of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Hon N Gina, MP (ANC) (Chairperson), Hon J Basson MP (ANC), Hon T Khoza MP (ANC) and Hon D Mnguni MP (ANC).

 

1. A member of staff who formed part of the delegation was Mr L A Brown (Committee Secretary).

 

2.         Background

     

The National Teaching Awards was conceptualised and launched in 2000 and had entered its sixteenth year of implementation. The function was a way to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made by teachers, often in difficult conditions. The awards also acknowledged and encouraged dedicated and caring teachers in their efforts to develop learners. The main objectives of the National Teacher Awards were to:

 

• Focus public attention on the positive aspects of Basic Education, thereby raising the public image of the teaching profession;
• Recognise and promote excellence in teaching performance;
• Honour dedicated creative and effective teachers and schools;
• Encourage best practice in schools; and
• Afford South Africans the opportunity to publicly thank teams and individual teachers in schools.

 

Through the National Teaching Awards the Department of Basic Education acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of teachers, often achieved under very difficult conditions and in service to children from underprivileged families and economically depressed communities.

 

3.         Address by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga

 

In her opening remarks, the Minister wished to salute all schools and teachers who had entered the National Teaching Awards since 2000. She acknowledged their extraordinary efforts, which had often been achieved under very difficult conditions and in service to our children, many of whom come from underprivileged families and economically depressed communities. The Minister acknowledged the commitment and selfless service of teachers aimed at the betterment of the lives of the South African child. She thanked teachers for nurturing and developing young people in their care so as to ensure that they reached their fullest potential.

 

Mrs Motshekga paid a special debt of gratitude to the Deputy President of the Republic Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa for gracing the occasion and thanked him for the hard work that he did in the area of education. She appreciated his commitment and compassion displayed over the years for our children.

 

 

The Minister noted how the event had grown in leaps and bounds from humble beginnings in the year 2000 when the late Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, introduced the awards, to what it is today. She thanked all the Provincial Education Departments, districts and schools for managing this process, and also wished to congratulate them for putting the event together. She further thanked all the public and private entities for the monetary and non-monetary support that had made the event a reality.

 

The Minister mentioned that the Department launched the “Teacher Appreciation and Support Programme (TASP)” as a commitment to teacher development. In this regard, the finalists of the 16th National Teaching Awards would become the Ambassadors of the Teacher Appreciation and Support Programme (TASP). The Minister impressed upon all Provincial Education Departments and school principals in the education system to support all TASP ambassadors.

 

4.         Keynote Address by the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa

The Deputy President thanked the Department for the opportunity to form part of the occasion that recognised and celebrated excellence in the teaching profession. These were the teachers who exemplified particular commitment to advancing the prestige of the teaching profession. The Deputy President also applauded the Department of Basic Education for dedicating the 16th National Teaching Awards to the late ANC President, Oliver Reginald Tambo. He further mentioned that the education system had changed fundamentally with government prioritising education and working to ensure that schools received the attention they deserved. Government remained committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning, as well as learner outcomes. He mentioned that we owed a debt of gratitude to all teachers who continued to provide learners with education, often in the face of adversity. He further indicated that government was committed to doing everything possible to improve the working conditions of teachers.

Hon Ramaphosa mentioned that judging by the comments from the adjudicators, the standard of the National Teaching Awards was very high this year and it was no easy task to select winners. The teachers celebrated today were able to show that they had an understanding of educational challenges and had found innovative solutions to these challenges. The National Teaching Awards provided an opportunity for all to recognise, learn and share best practices.

In conclusion, the Deputy President acknowledged, with gratitude, all sponsors, including the European Union, Vodacom, South African Airlink and many others.

5.         National Teaching Award Ceremony Programme

 

After the address by the Deputy President, the programme moved to the various awards and winners as follows:

 

Excellence in Primary School Teaching:

 

1st Place – Ms Sarah Elizabeth Hatting, Graanveld Primary School, Free State

2nd Place – Ms Mojela Kwena Betty, Rev MP Malatjie Primary School, Limpopo

3rd Place – Ms Tasnim Muradmia, I R Griffith Primary School, Gauteng

 

Excellence in Secondary School Teaching:

 

1st Place – Ms Ntobozuko Mkizwana, Mandela School of Science and Technology Secondary, Eastern Cape

2nd Place – Ms Lindiwe Ndlamlenze, St John Paul, Secondary School, KwaZulu-Natal

3rd Place – Mr Jason Fisher, Randfontein High School, Gauteng

 

Excellence in Technology – Enhanced Teaching and Learning Award:

 

1st Place – Ms Gafieza Ismail-Le Chat, Spine Road High School, Western Cape

2nd Place – Mr Roshan Behareelall, ML Sultan Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal

3rd Place – Mr Morne Smith and Dejon Weyers, Hoer Volkskool, North West

 

Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET):

 

1st Place – Ms Mabore Lekalakala, Toronto Primary School, Limpopo

2nd Place – Ms Ashara Sookraj, Forderville Primary School, Kwa-Zulu Natal

3rd Place – Ms Sharifa Suliman, Koster Intermediate School, Koster

 

Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences (GET):

 

1st Place – Mr Sphiwe Johannes Sibanyoni, Iketsetseng Comprehensive Secondary School, Free State

2nd Place – Ms Letsoalo Koena, Maune Primary School, Limpopo

3rd Place – Ms Micalla Lucas, Sol Plaatjie Primary School, North West

 

Excellence in Secondary School Leadership:

 

1st Place – Mr Coenrad Venter, Witteberg High School, Bethlehem

2nd Place – Mr Themba Mthethwa, Panorama Combined School, KwaZulu-Natal

3rd Place – Mr Charles Marthinussen, Atlantis Secondary School, Western Cape

 

Excellence in Grade R Teaching:

 

1st Place – Ms Lindiwe Gumede, Vondlo Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal

2nd Place – Ms Mandisa Mfuywa, DiDi Senior Primary School, Eastern Cape

3rd Place – Ms Madelein Burns, Assjassies Pre-Primary School, North West

 

Excellence in Special Needs Education

 

1st Place – Ms Sharon Townsend, Merryvale Specialised School, Eastern Cape

2nd Place – Ms Chrisna Wessels, Gelukwaarts Farm School, Free State

3rd Place – Ms Elsie Shabangu, Bukhosibetfu Inclusive School, Mpumalanga

 

Kha Ri Gude Volunteer Educator:

 

1st Place – Mr Lukhele Nkosana, Bettleham, Free State

2nd Place – Ms Thembeka Makhunga, Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal

3rd Place – Ms Ntombikayise Mashiane, Emalahleni, Mpumalanga

 

Kha Ri Gude Excellence in Inclusive Education Volunteer Educator:

 

1st Place – Ms Sibongile Dameni, (Blind) Kagiso, Gauteng

2nd Place – Ms Matshidiso Ramakgakga, (Blind) Thusanong Disability Centre, North West

3rd Place – Ms Esther Vilakazi, (Blind) Quaqua, Free State

 

Prof Kader Asmal Excellence Award:

 

Mr Mokgesi Pitse, Ramono Secondary, North West

 

 

Lifetime Achievement Award:

 

1st Place – Mr Lesiba Isaac Pila, Rutanang Primary Enrichment Centre, North West

2nd Place – Ms Tasneem Rajack, Phoenix Heights Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal

3rd Place – Dr Mapula Mofya-Legodi, Reverend MP Malatjie Primary School, Limpopo

 

6.         Conclusion

           

The 16th National Teaching Awards Ceremony was concluded with a special word of thanks from the Director-General, Mr H M Mweli.

 

Report to be noted.